Affiliation:
1. Division of General Surgery, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
Abstract
Twenty-seven cases of rectal prolapse have been treated by complete mobilisation of the rectum which, with the sigmoid colon, is then fixed in an elevated position using a modification of the Pemberton-Stalker technique. Although almost half of the patients were over 70 years of age, there was no operative mortality. One of the prolapses recurred; 18 patients were followed for 3 years or more, giving a 3-year recurrence rate of 5.5 per cent. Bowel control was improved or restored to normal in all but one of the patients with faecal incontinence. The results appear satisfactory when compared with those following more complicated operations, and it is suggested that this relatively simple operation should be used more widely, particularly in the treatment of elderly patients.